Cold Spring Research Articles

Hydrochemical and stable isotopes (δ2H and δ18O) changes of groundwater from a spring induced by local earthquakes, Northwest China

It has been well reported that earthquakes can cause changes in groundwater chemistry and isotopes, and much of those changes were occurred in wells or hot springs; however, changes in cold spring caused by local small earthquakes have received less attention. Here, we collected continuous monitoring of the X10 spring (September 2018 to December 2019), investigated the hydrogeochemical characteristics of the spring by using water chemistry analysis and isotope methods. We compared the changes in water chemical ion concentrations and hydrogen-oxygen isotope ratios with the surrounding seismic activity, and the results show that 1) major chemical ion concentrations in X10 springs have an annual dynamic pattern of being high in winter and low in summer, and this change may be related to the seasonal effect of snowmelt; 2) the spring water originates from long-distant meteoric water, snowmelt, and bedrock fissure water and is affected by rock weathering and evaporation; 3) the hydrogen and oxygen stable isotope ratios and HCO3− concentration in groundwater are sensitive to local small seismic activity. We considered that small earthquakes can change the permeability in fault zones or aquifers, leading to mixing of groundwater with different chemical composition and isotopes. Our study demonstrates that the hydrogen and oxygen stable isotopes are more sensitive to seismic activity than the commonly used chemical constitutents, and that the sensitive constitutents vary in different observation wells or springs; therefore, combined monitoring of isotopes and water chemistry should be considered in the future to capture hydrogeochemical precursor signals caused by earthquakes.

Study of the mortality rate in pre-fattening pigs

The focus of this experimental work was the long-term analysis of the mortality of pigs in the pre-fattening category, as well as the determination of the most important etiological and predisposing factors of death. We carried out this research on farm in the east of Slovakia, in the Spiš region, over a period of three years. Based on our 36-month monitoring of pig mortality, we found that pre-fattening mortality was on a downward trend with mortality rates of 2.79%, 2.72% and 2.71% in consecutive years. There is also a certain seasonal impact on mortality in pre-fattening, because we found a higher incidence of deaths especially in the cold spring, autumn and winter months. Diseases such as respiratory and diarrheal diseases were among the most important etiological and predisposing factors of mortality in the observed farm.

COLD STRESS IN WINTER AND SPRING RICE

In terms of area covering, production, productivity, and preference; Rice is ranked second in worldwide after wheat. Having more than 1,700 land races of rice, Nepal is considered as one of the origins for Asian rice. When there occurs out the variation in the normal temperature range in the plant, the various phenomenon like; Physiological, Cellular, metabolic and molecular disfunction is observed out which leads to death of the plant. At lower temperatures, stress tolerance can be induced by exposure to reduced temperature and is known as chilling tolerance and/or cold acclimation. Chilling tolerance is the ability of a plant to tolerate low temperatures (0–15 ◦C) without injury or damage, while cold acclimation is an enhanced tolerance to the physical and physiochemical vagaries of freezing stress. It limits the geographic distribution of plants and reduces the yield of some crops by shortening their growing season. Rice is mainly considered as a chill sensitive crop. The general aims of the review paper are to identify the various cold stress symptoms seen in rice and also recommend the best solution for removing cold stress on rice i.e., on both farmer level and researcher level. Therefore, this review focuses on the increasing in tolerance level of the cold stress.

The molecular regulators, pathways, and environmental impacts of white flowers

White flowers are an important element of natural beauty, although they are thought of colorless. Anthocyanins are the major compounds responsible for a variety of pigments in flowers. White flowers surely lack pigmented anthocyanins and other compounds, but there are regulatory mechanisms that hinder the deposition of color pigments in white flowers. Moreover, there are also some compounds that deposit to instigate white appearance and the genetic regulators control the biosynthesis and deposition of such compounds. Experts have shown that fluctuation in the equilibrium of FLS and DFR genes determines the degree of accumulation of anthocyanins and flavonols in the flowers, leading to different color patterns. The gene suppression techniques to suppress certain flavonoid pathway genes, such as CHS, or the insertion of DNA transposable elements into CHS produce white flower color in a number of species. Although pigments find wide application in the everyday life, white color does possess special importance in nature. Land plants use white flowers for reproductive viability during cold early spring to conserve energy and reduce nutrient costs, particularly in low density pollinations. Moreover, white fruit skins deposit specific amounts of anthocyanins and phenols with significant health benefits. This review, thus, deciphers the regulatory mechanisms for the absence of pigments in the white flowers and the deposition of special compounds causing white appearance and the benefits of white color in nature.

Мониторинг гнездовой группировки степного орла в Актюбинской области (Казахстан) в 2018–2023 годах

Мониторинг гнездовой группировки степного орла в Актюбинской области (Казахстан) в 2018–2023 годах

Hydrogeochemical origin and circulation of spring waters along the Karakorum fault, Western Tibetan Plateau: Implications for interaction between hydrosphere and lithosphere

Geochemical investigation on the origin and circulation of geothermal water is crucial for better understanding the interaction between hydrosphere and lithosphere. Previous studies on the Himalayan geothermal belt mainly distributed in the central and eastern Tibetan Plateau. In this study, water samples (8 hot springs and 1 cold spring) from the Karakorum fault (KKF) zone of western Tibetan Plateau were analyzed for the hydrogeochemical characteristics and isotopic compositions. Three types of spring water along the KKF were classified on basis of ionic concentration and Sr isotopic composition: type A water (HCO3–Mg or Ca), type B water (HCO3–Na) and type C water (Cl–Na). Type A water is originated from the infiltration of meteoric water and the dissolution of silicate/evaporite. Type B water is mainly leached from the metamorphic and granitoid rocks. Type C water is formed by the dissolution of chlorides and sulphates. δD and δ18O isotopes indicate that geothermal fluid along the fault zone was mainly recharged by local precipitation. Moreover, reservoir temperatures of 144.2–208.6°C were estimated by the silica–enthalpy mixing model, and the thermal waters have a relatively deep circulation depth (≥ 7.0 km). Meanwhile, the thermal waters are characterized by extremely high Li, B, Fe and As concentrations and earthquakes frequently happened in the vicinity, suggesting that the KKF is a deep and active fault, which also indicates that the thermal fluids are strongly associated with seismicity. Therefore, thermal fluid can potentially be used as continuous monitoring sites for earthquake forecasting.

Implications of differential transcription start site selection on chronic myeloid leukemia and prostate cancer cell protein expression.

The relevance of minor transcription start sites in broad promoters is not well understood. We have studied AGAP2 expression in prostate cancer and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), showing transcription is initiated from alternative transcription start sites (TSSs) within a single TSS cluster, producing cancer-type-specific AGAP2 mRNAs with small differences in their 5' UTR length. Interestingly, in the CML cell lines where the 5' UTR is longer, AGAP2 protein levels are lower. We demonstrate that the selection of an upstream TSS involved the formation of a G quadruplex in the 5' UTR, decreasing polysome formation. After developing a bioinformatics pipeline to query data from the FANTOM project and the NCl-60 human tumor cell lines screen, we found HK1 expression can also be regulated by the same mechanism. Overall, we present compelling data supporting TSS selection within a TSS cluster play a role in protein expression and should not be ignored.

:Lung Cancer: Disease Biology and Its Potential for Clinical Translation. Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine

:<i>Lung Cancer: Disease Biology and Its Potential for Clinical Translation. Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine</i>

Analysis of Natural Organic Matter in Water from Cold and Hot Mineral Springs in South Korea Using 15T FT-ICR-MS.

The natural organic matter (NOM) properties in water from cold and hot mineral springs in South Korea are not well documented. We analyzed the characteristics of NOM in water from 25 cold and hot mineral springs located across South Korea. The NOM of each sample was concentrated using solid-phase extraction and analyzed using 15T Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. The origin of NOM was identified using van Krevelen diagrams. This study suggests that an analytical method to evaluate the characteristics of water in each region of South Korea can be established and used as a baseline for further research.

Analysis of Displacement Performance for a Horizontal Flowthrough Sequence Water Sampler

Abstract The research on deep-sea hydrothermal fluids, cold springs, and other bottom water bodies has important implications for ecosystems. But the deep-sea environment is very harsh, and many existing sampling devices cannot meet the requirements in terms of sampling purity and gas preservation capabilities. Many current samplers are basically arranged in a vertical manner, which means that a set of trigger devices need to be installed at the entrance and exit of the sampling channel, which consumes a lot of space. Taking the flowthrough deep-seawater sequence sampling mechanism as the research object, we show a horizontal flowthrough water sampler. Through numerical simulation and experimental research on the displacement mechanism of the target sample and prefilled pure water, the displacement efficiencies under different flow velocities and sampling cavity shapes were obtained. The results confirmed that the positions of the inlet and outlet and the shapes of the sampling cavity have little influence on the displacement efficiencies at high flow rates. However, installing the inlet below the sampling cavity and installing the outlet above the sampling cavity can significantly reduce the blind area of displacement. Setting a small inclination angle to the capsule sampling cavity helps to improve the displacement effect at low flow rates. This design and research results not only simplified the complicated trigger mechanism of the traditional vertical water samplers, but also provided a reference for the operation modes of the samplers under different sample conditions.

Pipeline, Pathway, Burrow

Pipeline, Pathway, Burrow

The role of active geological structures in forming hot springs in Ramsar, Iran

The hot springs of Ramsar, Iran are located at the northern zone of the Central Alborz Mountain Range along the Caspian Fault. Ramsar is a well‐known area with amongst the world's highest levels of natural radiation. Due to the local geology, which includes high levels of radium in rocks, soils, and groundwater, Ramsar residents are also exposed to high levels of alpha activity in the form of ingested radium. Nine springs were selected from the hot springs of Ramsar for this research, and water samples were tested to find the amount of dissolved materials and elements. Analysis of the results suggests that the hot springs of Ramsar originated from the sea. The results indicate that coincident with subduction of the southern Caspian basin and obduction of the Central Iranian crust over the southern Caspian crust, saline seawater reaches fracture zones of the Caspian Fault where it is heated due to mixing with radioactive materials and release of radon as a result of activity of the faults and its decay into radium. Then it migrates along the Caspian thrust faults and forms hot springs originated from regional surface waters of Ramsar. Those hot springs located next to thrust faults were the result of collision, and the origin of neighbouring cold springs is karst.

The Genesis Mechanism and Health Risk Assessment of High Boron Water in the Zhaxikang Geothermal Area, South Tibet

The natural discharge of geothermal water containing harmful components affects the water quality of the surrounding environment and brings security risks to drinking water safety. The geothermal water in Tibet is characterized by high boron content, but the water pollution caused by the discharge of this high boron geothermal water is not clear. In this study, we collected geothermal water and surface water from the Zhaxikang geothermal system in southern Tibet to investigate the causes of high boron geothermal water and the water pollution of water quality by its discharge. The results indicate that the hydrochemical type of geothermal water was HCO3-Cl-Na, while that of cold spring water, mine water, river water, and lake water was SO4-HCO3-Ca-Mg. Hydrogen and oxygen isotopes show that the recharge source of cold groundwater was mainly snow-melting water and meteoric water, while in addition to that, there is magmatic water for hot springs. The boron content of geothermal water in the study area is as high as 42.36 mg/L, far exceeding the World Health Organization limit for drinking water (0.5 mg/L). The analysis of ion components and PHREEQC modeling indicated that the dissolution of silicate minerals and cation exchange controlled the composition of groundwater, and the boron in groundwater mainly came from the volatilization of magmatic components and the leaching of shallow sediments. The entropy weight water quality index was used to evaluate the water quality of the study area; about 42.9% of the groundwater samples are of good quality and can be used for drinking, mainly cold water that has not been mixed with geothermal water in the upstream. With the discharge of geothermal water into the river (with a mix ratio of ~20%), the downstream water quality gradually deteriorated. The health risk assessment of drinking water in the study area showed that the hazard index (HI) of drinking water in the mixed area was higher than 1 (with an average of 1.594 for children and 1.366 for adults), indicating that children are at a higher health risk than adults. Geothermal water with high boron content has been found all over the world, and the adverse effects of its natural drainage cannot be ignored.

High predation risk decimates survival during the reproduction season.

Predators attack conspicuous prey phenotypes that are present in the environment. Male display behavior of conspicuous nuptial coloration becomes risky in the presence of a predator, and adult males face higher predation risk. High predation risk in one sex will lead to low survival and sex ratio bias in adult cohorts, unless the increased predation risk is compensated by higher escape rate.Here, we tested the hypothesis that sand lizards (Lacerta agilis) have sex‐specific predation risk and escape rate. We expected the differences to manifest in changes in sex ratio with age, differences in frequency of tail autotomy, and in sex‐specific survival rate.We developed a statistical model to estimate predation risk and escape rate, combining the observed sex ratio and frequency of tail autotomy with likelihood‐based survival rate. Using Bayesian framework, we estimated the model parameters. We projected the date of the tail autotomy events from growth rates derived from capture–recapture data measurements.We found statistically stable sex ratio in age groups, equal frequency of tail regenerates between sexes, and similar survival rate. Predation risk is similar between sexes, and escape rate increases survival by about 5%. We found low survival rate and a low number of tail autotomy events in females during months when sand lizards mate and lay eggs, indicating high predator pressure throughout reproduction. Our data show that gravid females fail to escape predation.The risks of reproduction season in an ectotherm are a convolution of morphological changes (conspicuous coloration in males and body allometry changes in gravid females), behavior (nuptial displays), and environmental conditions which challenge lizard thermal performance. Performance of endotherm predators in cold spring months endangers gravid females more than displaying males in bright nuptial coloration.

TB DURING THE SEROCONVERSION PHASE

TB DURING THE SEROCONVERSION PHASE

Active degassing of crustal CO2 in areas of tectonic collision: A case study from the Pollino and Calabria sectors (Southern Italy)

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is released from the Earth’s interior into the atmosphere through both volcanic and non-volcanic sources in a variety of tectonic settings. A quantitative understanding of CO2 outgassing fluxes in different geological settings is thus critical for decoding the link between the global carbon budget and different natural processes (e.g., volcanic eruption and earthquake nucleation) and the effects on the climate evolution over geological time. It has recently been proposed that CO2 degassing from non-volcanic areas is a major component of the natural CO2 emission budget, but available data are still sparse and incomplete. Here, we report the results of a geochemical survey aimed at quantifying CO2 emissions through cold and thermal springs of the tectonically active Pollino Massif and Calabrian arc (Southern Italy). The chemical ad isotopic (He and C) composition of fifty-five dissolved gas samples allows to identify two different domains: 1) a shallow system dominated by gas components of atmospheric signature (helium, hereafter He) and biogenic origin (C), and 2) a deeper system in which crustal/deep fluids (CO2 and He) are dominant. The measured He isotope ratios range from 0.03 to 1.1 Ra (where Ra is the He isotopic ratio in the atmosphere) revealing a variable atmospheric contamination. Furthermore, the He isotopic data indicate the presence of traces of mantle He contributions (2%–3%) in the thermal groundwater. The prevailing low R/Ra values reflect the addition of crustal radiogenic 4He during groundwater circulation. Using helium and carbon isotope data, we explore the possible sources of fluids and the secondary processes (dissolution/precipitation) that act to modify the chemistry of pristine volatiles. For the thermal springs, we estimate a deep C output of 2.3 x 107 to 6.1 x 108 mol year−1. These values correspond to deep CO2 fluxes per square km comparable with those estimated in several active and inactive volcanic areas and in continental regions affected by metamorphic CO2 degassing (e.g., the southern margin of the Tibetan Plateau).

Familial Medullary Thyroid Cancer: Five-year Review of the Most Frequent Mutations in the RET Gene: An Update

Background: Familial Medullary Thyroid Cancer (FMTC) is hereditary in 25% of cases. Patients with an inherited form of FMTC usually have a germline mutation in the RET proto-oncogene (10q11.2); these mutations generally occur in exons 10 (codons 618 and 620) and 11 (codons 630, 631, and 634).&#x0D; Methods: A narrative review of articles focused on the pathology of familial medullary thyroid cancer was carried out using the next databases PubMed, ScienceDirect, BMC, Springer, Frontiers, PMC, Wiley Online Library, Cold Spring Harbor and ELSEVIER. This search was carried out between August and September 2021.&#x0D; Results: 19 studies were selected in which the following mutations were found: five studies (26.31%) reported mutation in exon 10; three studies (15.78%) in exon 11; three studies in exon 13 (one of them associated with a rare mutation in exon 7) (10.52% plus 5.26%); three studies (15.78%) in exon 14; two studies (10.52%) in exon 15; two (10.52%) in exon 16; and one (5.26%) rare FMTC NO RET. The two most frequent mutations were in codons 620 of exon 10 and 804 of exon 14.&#x0D; Conclusion: The findings of this review are consistent with the medical literature, finding the most common RET mutations in exon 10 and codon 620. It is essential that in patients with a presumptive diagnosis, genetic studies (identification of germline mutations in the RET proto-oncogene, located on chromosome 10q11.2) be performed.

Magmatic Carbon and Helium in Springs Reveals the Vitality of a Dormant Volcano, Taranaki, New Zealand

AbstractA challenge in monitoring long‐dormant volcanoes is to discover early signs of reawakening. Mineral springs on Taranaki volcano (2,518 m, New Zealand) have elevated carbonate concentrations, δ13CDIC ∼ −5‰ (VPDB) and He isotopes from 5.13 to 5.92 RA, indicating a magmatic volatile source. Stable isotopes demonstrate water recharge occurs near the volcano's summit. Volatile anions and silica are low in a cold (5oC) flank spring at 1,000 m a.s.l., yet elevated in warm springs (25–32oC) associated with travertine deposits at 250–300 m, suggesting a weak hydrothermal component along the flow path. Tritium dating of the cold spring water yields a mean residence time of 7.8 years. This short residence time and magmatic volatile signatures suggest magmatic CO2 persistently flushes Taranaki's upper edifice. Cold spring geochemistry thus reveals volcanic activity at this dormant volcano that otherwise lacks obvious geophysical signs of unrest.

S1.2c Diagnosis of fungal infections in animals: Combining the old and the new to maximize results

S1.2c Diagnosis of fungal infections in animals: Combining the old and the new to maximize results

The role of the glypican and syndecan families of heparan sulfate proteoglycans in cardiovascular function and disease.

Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) are proteoglycans formed by a core protein to which one or multiple heparan sulfate chains are covalently bound. They are ubiquitously expressed in cellular surfaces and can be found in the extracellular matrix and secretory vesicles. The cellular effects of HSPGs comprehend multiple functionalities that include 1) the interaction with other membrane surface proteins to act as a substrate for cellular migration, 2) acting as a binding site for circulating molecules, 3) to have a receptor role for proteases, 4) to act as a coreceptor that can provide finetuning of growth factor receptor activity threshold, and 5) to activate intracellular signaling pathways (Sarrazin S, Lamanna WC, Esko JD. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 3: a004952, 2011). Among the different families of HSPGs, the syndecan and glypican families of HSPGs have gained increased attention in relation to their effects on cardiovascular cells and potential role in disease progression. In this review, we will summarize the effects of syndecan and glypican homologs on the different cardiovascular cell types and discuss their contribution to common processes found in cardiovascular diseases (inflammation, hypertrophy, and vascular remodeling) as well as their potential role in the development and progression of specific diseases including hypertension, heart failure, and atherosclerosis.